I think that that which gives InkjetMall it's strength is that it is owned by two photographer/artists (Cathy and I) who have invested heavily into manufacturing infrastructure (Vermont PhotoInkjet) to suit the needs of their studio (Cone Editions Press). And Cone Editions remains the single largest customer of VPI inks. We have a dozen printers going constantly for clients. Hard to imagine a world without Piezography and we invested this year in 9 new large format printers - some of which will not be installed until perhaps 2020. I do look that far and wonder if Epson will still be making piezo-electric print heads or if Business Inkjet will take their attention away from photo and fine art.
The curves profiler we developed gives us a unique opportunity to provide curves to Roy Harrington that he can provide with the download of QTR but he does not have to provide support for. Our customers get the benefit of not having to linearize or struggle on their own, etc. Because I control our ink manufacturing we do not have to deal with changes and everything is very standardized as a result - and the results are very good. But, they are definitely my cup of tea. I control the appearance of K7 and K6 output. So I take the place of someone like you. And it takes a lot of my time - and I participate in three companies. And I am a practicing photographer usually 1000s exposures a month. I sleep little. I wish I had someone like you so I could pursue more of my own personal dreams and visions. But, I do feel everything that I do is very worthwhile and I love that others are able to pursue their passions from my work. So, I am not complaining at all. Never! I feel I am the luckiest and most fortunate b&w photographer alive. And as a printmaker - I could not dream for a better existence. Just wish I had more time.
This week I have been doing what any enthusiast does, designing a new digital negative based upon UV densitometry specifically for platinum and palladium printing. I'm doing this not to sell it as a product - but because Cone Editions Press is putting in a large format platinum/palladium studio and I am proofing it on a 1430 printer. I got bit by the noble metals in Santa Fe and they will not relinquish their hold on me. My time might be better spent marketing or finding new customers, etc for InkjetMall or finding new ink customers for Vermont PhotoInkjet. But, this is what I like most to do. I love development for my studio. I always have.
Sometimes, I wish we had you or someone like you, and our products development centered around the time and interest of someone else other than me. But, we only have me and I deliver the type of systems I like to print with and the type of systems my clients like to print with me. Not all of my things become products. But, the ones with long legs (as they say) do.
Much of my time now is developing inks for others. I have less time to finish my projects than I used to. Piezography PRO is delayed because of that. Or I should say - that I put my selfish interests in this platinum negative ahead of it. That is the short of it. I can only do so much as one person and still administer VPI, IJM and CEP.
I think that the balance in being an artist and wishing to serve others as well - is finding a way to sustain it. So commercializing off it is, in some ways, and ironically, a way to allow art to flourish. I am my own benefactor, my own supporter, my own sponsor. Something inside of me - something inherited most likely from my grandfather (Ben Davis) allowed me to do this duality of the artistic nature.
What you might do - is consider to have your own line which you can more control. You can always email me about that. Bridges are always open to my studio and to my resources!
Best,
Jon Cone
Piezography
InkjetMall